Dave R

If I was clever enough to design a headphone, I'd not only want it to sound extremely good, but also be very nice looking. So it would look nothing like that Abyss thing, which to me is one of, if not the ugliest headphone in the world.

Hi Rod, Although I've never heard any stats amps built by Birgir, I am a very happy owner of a Dynalo mk1 built by him. I use that dynamic amp with my HD-600's, and while that combo isn't as open sounding, detailed and transparent as the 009/BHSE, the two together still sound very good, so much so I use that 600/Dynalo combo almost as much as the 009/BHSE, so I'm sure Birgir's stats amps will also sound very good, and even more so his KGSSHV Carbon. Regarding the Woo Wee, to what I recall, when I heard it along with the Chord integrated amp and 009's in November, the SQ was something like an SRM-007t, however even if the SQ would've been better, it's obviously not worth the risk damaging Earspeaker's. The photo is of that Dynalo mk1 at the side of my BHSE's PSU, the power light is on that PSU because I've already been listening to my 009/BHSE, and I'm listening throughout the rest of today. I've been listening to CD's, but that below the PSU & Dynalo is my MacMini which I use as a music server with my sources DAC.

When I say I've not had one problem with the SQ from my 009's, I'm referring to any damage to the SQ. While using the stock mullard's with my BHSE I was never completely happy with the SQ from the 009's, but I'm now using original mullard xf4's and I'm very happy. @ Rod, your recently got SRM-717 from Julian [ astrostar59 ], is the same one that was used my 009's. IMO a very nice amp and to me better than the SRM-007t, although somewhat behind the BHSE IMO.

The query I made wasn't for my benefit because as I've said, I've no intentions of using my 009's or 003's with any Woo amps, but I'll add that I got my 009's [ from PriceJapan ] in 2011 and they've been driven by the BHSE, KGSSHV, SRM-007t, 717, and I've not had one problem with the SQ.

It's said that Woo stats amps can cause damage to Earspeaker's used, but can this take over a certain period of time ? I ask this because while I've no intentions of driving my 009's or 003mk2's with any Woo amp, someone visited my place last November to try-out his then recently got 009's with my BHSE, and with him he brought a Woo WEE + Chord integrated amp and a music server. [ he might've brought something else, but I can't remember ] My 009's weren't used with his Woo WEE/Chord, but when his 009's were used with my BHSE, those Earspeaker's were working perfectly. However a month or so ago he was having problems with his 009's where there was no sound coming from the right ear piece, and 50% volume coming from the left, and since his visit to my place I assume he's been using his 009's with the WooWEE/Chord. I believe he got his 009's last October, but has sent them back to the place they were bought for repairs. He no longer has the Woo WEE but now has a KGST and a Stax amp, so once he gets his 009's back he'll be driving them with those two stats amps.

I wonder if Birgir has any plans building KGSSHV Carbon's using the type of chassis in the photo. IMO it looks very nice.

I'm not sure if HiFi Nutter has the income to get both the 009 and KGSSHV.

I've come back to head-case ( after being banned ) because no bull-shit is written about audio gear here. Yes I have had an head injury from a motorcycle accident, but I bet you're more tapped in the head than I am. Sorry only joking.

You more than likely won't see this post, but just in case you do Hifi Nutter, I've found on Head-Case a lot more honest opinion is given, without shills, unlike a certain other site.

IMO the BHSE is so well built, I think it'll run without accident for along time, however if or when it does need repairing, I think Justin would help out. I'd have to pay for any repairs and the returns delivery though, which I'd expect.

I'm extremely happy with the BHSE, and driving the 009's ( since using the PH tubes and xf4's that is ) but I've mentioned in my post 9925 on this thread why I'm eventually getting a KGSSHV Carbon.

I have the money to get your KGSSHV Carbon, and also a most recent 007, but my home improvement needs sorting out before getting anymore audio gear, and what I'm having done is going to cost quite a bit. Regarding the newest 007, I haven't heard one but did hear a 007mk2 driven by my BHSE [ about a year ago ] while the Psvane PH's were being used, and wasn't impressed at all, [ reminded me of the SR-007mk1 driven by the SRM-007t which I once had both ] so these 007's built now would have to sound a lot different to that 007mk2 I heard, however I'm now using the Mullard xf4's with the BHSE. Didn't you do a mod to those 007mk2.9's of yours Birgir ? Like mentioned by padam on this thread, post 9870, if Stax were to do a mini-SR-009 similar to their SR-Xmk3, then that would get me interested, however if they did and the headband was similar to that on either the SR-Xmk3 or SR-009, then I'd have to do one like that I did on my 009's.

I have a BHSE, but I'm eventually getting a KGSSHV Carbon. I'm doing this for three reasons, first, if anything happened to the BHSE I wouldn't be without listening to the 009's, second, with the BHSE having tubes I won't leave it on unattended, it's probably safe to do that be it's still something I wouldn't do, and third, the KGSSHV Carbon should make the 009's sound slightly different which will give a bit more variety. I have the SR-003mk2's which I find sound different to the 009's, but they're mostly for when it gets too hot for listening to the 009's. [ which isn't that often in the UK ]

@ spritzer, After recently going on your website Birgir, I saw your KGSSHV Carbon, it's a pity I haven't any spare money else I'd have it.

Have you heard those DAC's with a BHSE, with RK50 pot ?

I only heard the KGSSHV that one day which was sometime ago, but to what I recall the KGSSHV gave the 009's a stronger bass than the BHSE, whereas the BHSE gave the 009's a more open sound with the closest to lifelike I've heard from any headphone system.[ obviously the only ones I've heard ] I've since made two tweaks to my BHSE, first is using Mullard xf4's which to my hearing have given the 009's an even more open sound, sort of cathedral, and the other tweak is using Herbie HAL-O III tube dampers which sound to have given more body to the 009's. When I first tried the K-01's ATT with the BHSE, the difference was very close but I slightly favoured the K-01's ATT, but the recent time I tried them both the BHSE's RK50 sounded the better, but it wasn't by a huge amount. Whether my hearing has changed I don't know, but try auditioning the K-01 [ including it's ATT ] with your headphone gear, then post your thoughts.

I have heard a KGSSHV along with my BHSE, so yes, probably.

You should try and get to hear the 009's with a BHSE, although not while using the stock mullard tubes, IMO. When I first tried my sources ATT with my BHSE [ that BHSE having Alps RK50 ] I found the SQ to be more or less the same, but after seeing this post of yours I decided to try my sources ATT again and this time the RK50 sounded the better. I was only using my sources ATT for when I had the BHSE's volume knob out of arms reach, but because it now isn't, I no longer use that sources ATT.

Very nice Birgir.

OK, thanks.

On PriceJapan where I got my 009's and 003mk2's, they've got the SR-007A ( SR-007mkII ), so excuse my ignorance but what is this 007mk2.9 ?

With the audio rack I have now, I'm able to get to my BHSE's volume knob without a problem, but when I was using my previous audio rack which I've had turned into a coffee table, and if I decided to put my BHSE on the far side to where my chair was, the volume knob would be out of arms length. When I did that I just turned the BHSE's volume to full and used my sources attenuator showing in the photo's. In doing that I was able to alter the volume using my sources remote control. Although I haven't used my sources ATT with my BHSE for sometime, when I did I can't say I heard any difference in SQ between using the BHSE's volume knob, and my sources ATT.

I've been in contact with the website I saw those Staib mesh bracelets, and they told me the one that would work for my needs is a sliding clasp, but is done by Vollmer The mesh is called V-1308, but apparently they are coming out with a new version that's equipped with a safety clasp, so I'll keep looking for that new version showing.

I have to admit, if looked after properly ( which I intend to do ) I would've thought a leather strap would last longer than a year, but I still plan on getting a Staib Mesh bracelet because to me they look so good, and I feel it will make my JLC look even better than it already is. I've seen photos of some JLC Memovox vintage EdipisReks, and the ones with a silver dial look beautiful. They all did what I saw, but especially the ones with a silver dial.

One of the things I read about HUBLOT's the second time Torpedo, was they are well over priced. I've been looking again on the JLC website, and they recommend that a leather strap should be changed after around 12 months. Because of that I'm going to get one of those Staib S-2792-PB Pusher Clasp Bracelets, which not only do I think looks very nice, but should last quite a lot longer.